Stephen F. Austin rallied for two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning for a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Sam Houston Friday night in the first contest of a three-game Southland Conference baseball series at Jaycees Field in Nacogdoches.

The Bearkats had built a 2-1 lead in the top of the eighth after a sacrifice fly by Zach Smith scored third baseman Ryan Brinley. A wild pitch and a bunt single by center fielder Colt Atwood moved Brinley to third after he singled.

Sam Houston scored its first run in the top of the fourth inning as Smith doubled to right field and scored on a Lumberjack error on a ground ball by first baseman Spence Rahm.

SFA tied the game at a run apiece in the bottom of the fifth inning on a bases loaded hit by pitch. The winning runs in the eighth inning came on a Bearkat error and an RBI single by pinch hitter Connor Fikes.

Stephen F. Austin upped its season mark to 11-19 and its Southland record to 5-7. Sam Houston now stands 14-18 for the year and is 7-6 in league action.

The Lumberjacks totaled 10 hits while Sam Houston posted three. SFA left eight runners stranded. Bearkat starting pitcher struck out five of the 29 batters he faced while holding the Jacks to five hits. Seth Holbert (1-1) took the loss in relief.

Stephen F. Austin starting pitcher gave up only three hits in seven innings, striking out seven Bearkats. Patrick Ledet (3-0) was credited with the win after pitching the final two innings.

The Bearkats and the Lumberjacks will play the second game of the series at 1 p.m. Saturday.